IN MEMORY OF SAM BARTLEY - QUEENS CHAPTER

It is with a sense of sadness, much regret and heartfelt sympathy that we, the members and honorary members, of The Brooklyn Chapter receive the news of Sam's death on November 25, 2014. Most of our members have enjoyed a long and cordial relationship with Sam, not only as a past president of the Queens' Chapter, but also, as a former co-worker. I speak for Westin Jameison, the President of the Brooklyn Chapter in assuring you that we will avail ourselves to be of assistance, if necessary. As best as you are able to, please convey our condolence to Sam's family. We will await any pertinent information as soon as it becomes available. In the spirit of love, "Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love, and good deeds." Hebrews10:24Shared by Kathleen D Rose - Brooklyn Chapter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FORMER IMMIGRATION OFFICER & CURRENT ACP CLARENCE TAYLOR WITH THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE AT THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AFTER A COURTESY CALL

BELOW, IRWINE CLARE SPEAKS ON SECURITY FOR PENN RELAY ATHLETES ......

A top official for an organisation which provides vital support to hundreds of Jamaicans participating in the annual Penn Relay Carnivalin the United States Irwine Clare, has expressed concerns leading into the 119th running of the event next week, in the wake of Monday's terrorist attacks at an international sporting event in the US. According to Irwine Clare, head of operations and founder of US-based Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB), although his organisation is scheduled to set up operations for Penns April 25-27 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the bombings at the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts had raised worrying signals."Clearly from our side it's a cause for concern," Clare said early yesterday afternoon from New York.

He explained that a TJB liaison officer had been assigned to contact organisers of the prestigious event, which has attracted Jamaican athletes for decades. Up to early yesterday afternoon, Clare said, TJB had received no definitive word. "We are awaiting to hear what Penn Relays has to say," he said.Efforts to contact relays organisers were unsuccessful as telephone calls made to the event's media information officer were not returned up to late yesterday afternoon.Clare anticipates this year's Penns will feature dramatically ramped-up security as a result of Monday's tragedy, which, up to press time, had claimed the lives of at least three people and injured more than 170."We are expecting tighter security arrangements," he said. "It makes sense."Since 1994, TJB has provided support to Jamaican teams participating at Penns. The organisation offers meals and arranges for transportation, medical services and discounted accommodations. During Penns, most TJB activities are centred at a tent set up adjacent Franklin Field, the stadium where the relays are run at the University of Pennsylvania.ADJUST SECURITY METHODSAccording to Clare, TJB will now be "looking at how we handle our security operations at the tent and adjust accordingly".A TJB awards reception and fund-raiser was scheduled for last night in New York. Clare said the matter would be discussed there.Last year, TJB hosted in the "range of 600 athletes and officials" from Jamaican schools and clubs, Clare said. He is expecting roughly the same attendance in 2013. "We are equipped to handle similar numbers this year," he said.However, Clare explained, he understood if parents of Jamaican athletes were sceptical about sending their children to Pennsylvania which, like Massachusetts, is located in the US Northeast."It's a valid worry," he said.Clare said TJB will also be seeking to provide those parents with a level of comfort.TJB confronted a somewhat similar situation following the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001, although that happened several months before the 2002 Penn Relays. While the experience and fallout from 9/11, which claimed close to 3,000 lives, may have softened the impact of heightened security at Penns in recent years, Monday's incident in Boston is expected to ignite another round of increased caution. It has also offered another reminder that athletic events are not immune to violent and tragic occurrences, Clare explained."We felt the brunt of increased security the following April at Penns," he said of 9/11. "We would have gotten used to that now, but the incident in Boston reminds us of the realities of how life is these days."--------From Gordon Williams, Jamaica Gleaner Writer-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLY JAMAICA NEWS

AFTER months of planning, the operators of the country's newest airline are breathing a sigh of relief and are looking forward to prosperous days for Fly Jamaica, which went on its inaugural flight from Kingston to the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in the United States on Thursday.Fly Jamaica, a partnership involving Guyanese Paul Ronald Reece, the company's chief executive officer, and three Jamaican shareholders including former Air Jamaica pilot, Captain Lloyd Tai, the company's chief operating officer, kicked off business last Thursday with its Boeing 757-200 aircraft, which will also operate between Kingston and Guyana.After landing at JFK, Fly Jamaica officials presided over a celebratory ribbon-cutting exercise featuring airline officials, the Jamaican Consul General in New York and members of several organisations representing the Jamaican Diaspora.On its return to the Norman Manley International Airport Thursday afternoon, Fly Jamaica officials organised yet another reception highlighting the successful start of the airline.Director of Tourism John Lynch commended the start-up airline and spoke glowingly of the competence and experience of its principals; Tai, Reece and veteran airline executive Will Rodgers, a consultant to Fly Jamaica.The local tourism director took time out to emphasise the need for Fly Jamaica to pay close attention to costs and service in what he described as a most competitive environment."[It was] nostalgic and it was a great event for us. You know I have been retired from Air Jamaica for a while and it was like stepping back into the shoes when I started many, many years ago."We had very good feedback, we were among the customers today, and they were happy with what they have seen and our anticipation is that they will spread the word for us," said Tai who emphasised the new airline's commitment to good prices and quality service.Irwin Clare, a member of the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board in the United States also welcomed the new carrier."We are happy for another carrier that we can call a national carrier. It's something that has been absent for a while. In fact, there are some persons who have chosen not to fly since the last one, so there will be eagerness to get on the flight," said Claire, who promised that the diaspora representatives would do their best to support the regional airline.Passengers who were among the first to book seats on the inaugural flight gave the airline high marks for its initial performance. They commented on the courtesy of the flight attendants, the allowance of two free pieces of luggage, and the decision to serve an in-flight meal of the Jamaican national dish of ackee and saltfish.Travel agent Rawan Gordon described the flight as "excellent" as she explained that she was "excited about the prospects and future" of her country's newest air carrier.She said she was very impressed with the service provided by the flight crew "especially the flight attendants, who were very professional."Both Margarett Rose-Campbell and her friend Sharon Little said they were satisfied with the flight and would continue to book with the airline.Another passenger said he was pleased with this first flight and predicted that the airline "will succeed, providing it maintains the standard of service delivered on the initial flight".

Keith "Trinity" Gardner

Colorful Assistant Commissioner of Police Keith “Trinity” Gardener retires from the Jamaica Constabulary Force on December 06, 2012 the day he turned 60 yrs old. Gardener who has been on secondment to the University of the West Indies (UWI) as its director of security, will continue to serve the UWI in that capacity and the qualified attorney will also practice law."Turbulent," was how the one-time bodyguard of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga described his 40 years, four months and 12 days in the Jamaica Constabulary Force when the Jamaica Observer contacted him yesterday.Known as a crime fighter who never settled for mediocrity, Gardner who was shot five separate times by criminals, earned a reputation as a fearless policeman who stood up to some of Jamaica's notorious gangsters at times when they threatened the island with anarchy.Among the names which will be mentioned alongside his in standing up to criminals are the late Anthony 'Tony' Hewitt, Isaiah Laing, Reneto Adams, Cornwall 'Bigga' Ford, Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, Arthur 'Stitch' Martin, Donald Pusey, Hector 'Bingy' White, and Terrence Bent, among others."I have no regrets," he told the Jamaica Observer. "I have been shot several times, involved in traffic accidents, recovered hundreds of guns, secured convictions for criminals and made a whole heap of friends and more enemies."I am smiling. I joined the force without any recognition and over the years achieved a lot, including the medal of gallantry, and so many other honours in such little time," he added.In a previous interview with the Observer, Gardner said that the police force had taught him many lessons of life."It has been good. The force has been good to me. I am blessed, because since graduation in 1971 from Kingston College I have never been without a job. I went back to Kingston College to work in the biology department as a lab technician, just out of school, so it is really good that you have never been unemployed and to be in a job for almost 41 years shows consistency," he said."I joined the force at a time when it was not fashionable as a Kingston College graduate to become a member of the force and to use that to my own benefit where you can go and experience things like being with kings and princesses all over the world."The beauty of it is that people like to put you in a myopic category, even within your own force, and that is what has driven me to success to make the transformation from crime fighter to academic," Gardner said then.The ace crime fighter said during that time that he had been overcome by a sense of accomplishment, having completed several milestones that he set himself and had, even in the pursuit of achieving them, upset the status quo."People believe that the only thing you could do was to fire a gun, but I learned to make the transition from a flat foot crime fighter to an ace investigator, to leave Jamaica and go to one of the most prestigious detective colleges at West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and top the class and being commended by the British Council for academic performance in 1986. I also received commendation from the Police Service Commission for getting 86 per cent, when the average of the class, including British police officers, was 64 per cent," Gardner said.Gardner used the time in the police force to arm himself with a Bachelor's degree in management studies from the UWI, Mona; a law degree from the Cave Hill campus in Barbados, and a Master's Degree in public law.He intends to read for a PhD soon.Gardner told the Observer in the May 21 interview that although he believes firmly that policemen should try to improve themselves academically, far too many of them were hunting degrees in order to make statements, while not emphasising enough, some of the basics of policing."There is a competition in the force where people are trying to amass degrees. You have more people with degrees in the force now than thermometers."At the end of the day, it's not how many degrees you have. It's how you apply them. You have people with all kinds of degrees and you put them to practical policing and they can't apply themselves. It makes no sense," he said.Gardner, who started high school at KC in the same class as the late broadcaster Hugh Crosskill (later moved to Jamaica College) and musician Augustus Pablo, also deceased, lives by a Japanese saying that guides his daily life: 'The nail that pushes up itself is the one that gets hammered down.'"You have to know when to surface and when to keep a low profile," he emphasised."All I want now is health and strength and hope that I get my pension," Gardner stated.

During the London Olympics, a group of "Bobbys" (affectionate nickname name given to British Policemen) decided to do the "Bolt Sign"

In his early teens, Peter Whittingham had an unmistakable choice — succumb to the mind-bending pressures of the sprawling slums of Canterbury, St James, or rise above its desperate poverty, senseless violence and wanton waste of often promising young lives.

Today, as a highly regarded police professional, captain of police and expert in anti-gang enforcement strategies in the world-famous Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Whittingham can celebrate the choice he made to become a career police officer, first in Jamaica and then in the United States of America. And it is no surprise that the brutal violence of gang-war in and around the Canterbury of his childhood — from the late 1960s to early 1970s — has become his purpose and passion, and the reason he is reaching out to help in the effort to rid the streets of gang violence that is ruining the reputation of his island home that he loves so dearly."Canterbury was one of the most gang-infested areas in Jamaica. As a youngster, I witnessed first-hand the violence of those gang wars that ruined the lives of many of my childhood friends in communities such as Gully, Glendevon, Railway Lane, Salem, among others," Whittingham recalled in an interview with the Sunday Observer."I felt helpless, but I was determined not to become a victim, and I knew that there was a better way... I would love to share my experiences with some of the gangsters of today," Whittingham said.Towering above six feet tall, very articulate and clearly knowledgeable about effective strategies to combat gang crimes, 57-year-old Whittingham was in Jamaica recently to bury his mother who passed away on January 14. But he used the occasion to drop in on Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, for whom, he said, he has developed tremendous respect.Whittingham said he owed everything he has achieved to the foundation laid by the JCF, and he would like nothing better than an opportunity to give back. Although he did not go into details about his discussions with Commissioner Ellington, Whittingham indicated that he shared his experience as a gang expert with the top cop, and expressed his willingness to be a part of the commissioner's team to reduce gang violence in Jamaica."From my long years of battling gangs in LA, I have learnt, as my chief of police says, that you simply cannot arrest your way out of gang violence," said Whittingham."As the officer in charge of a gang unit in what was one of the most violent areas in Los Angeles (South west Area), I had to find creative but effective ways to fight the gang problem."While we employed aggressive enforcement strategies that were designed to suppress gang violence and apprehend gang members, it was only after we took a multi- faceted approach... combining proactive/preventative measures with intervention, and building collaborative partnership with all the stakeholders (including gang members)... It was only after we brought all these pieces together that we saw our best and sustaining results."Whittingham acknowledged that there are different factors affecting the environment, mindset, and social needs of the Jamaican youth... But he insisted that the formula, when properly applied (with support from the community and the political establishment), will bring about similar results."As a police officer, I am a natural crime fighter. But I bring something else to the table — the experiences of my past in Canterbury."I am able to look at the causation factors behind the formation of gangs and to feel the emotions of seeing that the violence is still affecting my neighbourhood, 37 years later. In fact, I recently lost a nephew to gang violence in Montego Bay, two days before the death of my mother, so it hits very close to home," he said.Whittingham said he was the first to bring former gang members and representatives of the 23 most active gangs in Southwest (LA) face to face with all his officers "to vent, shout at each other, and then to talk with each other... that set the tone and laid the foundation for a respectful relationship to develop, opening a wider door for dealing with our gang problem"."After that, respect started to develop. Then trust started to develop. And soon, those gang members who wanted to live a different life were offered the opportunity to do so," commented Whittingham.He said all this took place in an area where five of the top-10 gangs in Los Angeles were based. "...And for the first time in several years, the crime rate dropped by 27 per cent in the division."Although he acknowledged that the number was slowly going down, he noted that the murder rate in Jamaica was far too high, comparing the population of 4.5 million people in Los Angeles with the 2.7 million people in Jamaica."When I heard that we had 30 murders in the first nine days of the New Year, I couldn't help but cry inside. Last year there were just over 1,100 murders here in Jamaica. If we have 300 homicides in LA, it becomes a major outcry. I know we can't be soft on crime, but I believe there is a way to reach many gang members... to find alternative ways to settle their differences."Many of the guys killed were gangsters, but I am sure that they left behind children, spouses, parents, sisters, brothers. To me, it is a life lost, not just a gang member... In many cases, it might have even been a young man who could have grown up to become a police captain in Los Angeles."When you approach it that way, you see the wisdom of employing proactive, preventative strategies, and a by-product of this approach and sensitivity is more cooperation from the families and the community at large," he added.Captain Whittingham suggested that Jamaican political parties should decisively cut their ties with criminal gangs and to work with former gang members to develop job skills so that they can play a more productive role in society."Our political leaders must make a commitment to change the environment that appears receptive to gang activities. Additionally, we need to revitalise the communities that have become breeding grounds for gangs... For example; nothing has changed in Canterbury since I left there to join the JCF in 1974. With little or no emphasis on sustained community development, the gangs will always be replenished," he said.Whittingham was an immigration officer when he migrated in 1983 and was shortly after hired by the University of Southern California (USC) campus police department. After graduating from the LAPD Academy, having joined the department in 1988, he continued his formal education at The University of La Verne, California, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration.He is a graduate of the LAPD West Point Leadership Programme and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy.He rapidly moved up the ranks from his first field assignment in the Wilshire Area to the rank of sergeant in October 1991; detective in March 1994 assigned to North Hollywood Detective Division; Sergeant II in October 1995 assigned to Internal Affairs Group; lieutenant in March 1999 assigned to Pacific Area as a watch commander; Administrative Lieutenant assigned to Southwest Area as the officer in charge of the Southwest Area Gang Impact Team in July 2003.Whittingham was transferred to the Pacific Area as the assistant commanding officer, Los Angeles International Airport, LAX Field Services Division, and made captain on May 10, 2009, and assigned as the commanding officer, Hollywood Patrol Division.He has kept in touch with several past police commissioners and remains a member of the Ex-Police Immigration Officers Association of Jamaica (headquarters in New York).Captain Whittingham currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Belinda, and his two younger children, Sophia and Victoria. He also has four other grown children: Pedro, Ladonna, Damion, and Randy who is a student in Arizona State University.